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EndHungerProtest: FG sells rice at N40,000 per 50kg bag
#EndHungerProtest: FG sells rice at N40,000 per 50kg bag
The Federal Government on Monday said it has started to distribute an additional 10 trucks of 50kg rice to each state to be sold at designated centres at N40,000.
This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has insisted that there is no need for the protest as most of the demands put forward by the organizers are being addressed.
Already, ahead of the August 1 national protest, President Bola Tinubu has said that he is protesting on behalf of the youth by addressing most of their grievances.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that 10 trucks of rice to each state was a measure put in place to address poverty and high cost of living.
The Minister said, “And the position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the federal government and therefore it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again because most of those things that the protesters are putting forward are already actually been addressed or are being addressed by government and like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.
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“The President has listened to be voices of all those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it.
“Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want a government to do for example, the effort that government is making, in ensuring that food is being made available.
“The last Council meeting here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks 20 precisely had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to those who actually In need of them to poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need, but government did not stop there there is also rice that is being sold at about 50% of its cost, a bag of rice is being sold at N40,000 as we speak now.
“This rice have been taken to various centers across all the states of the federation, and is being sold at 40,000 Naira, centers have been created. So that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at 40,000 naira
“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states and indeed, this is just the beginning I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough. Government has not pretended that this supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are being made in the interim.
“Of course, this is like I I said an interim measure because there is so much investment that is going into the agricultural sector. And the rainy season is here. We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made not just for the traditional agricultural produce, but also for the irrigation activities in many of these states of the federation. So we expect that as we move forward, prizes of food items, commodities will of course, come down.”
#EndHungerProtest: FG sells rice at N40,000 per 50kg bag
News
Iran Rules Out Participation in 2026 FIFA World Cup
Iran Rules Out Participation in 2026 FIFA World Cup
Tehran, March 11, 2026 – Iran has officially announced that it will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing security concerns and strained relations with the United States.
The announcement came from Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s Sports Minister, who said the current circumstances make it impossible for the national team to compete. “Given that this corrupt government has murdered our leader, there are no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali stated. “Two wars have been imposed on us in the past eight or nine months, and several thousand of our citizens have been killed. Therefore, we have no chance of participating in this way.”
Iran had qualified for the tournament, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with group stage matches set in U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Seattle. The Iranian team was drawn into Group G, alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Iran would have been welcomed to compete, and U.S. authorities confirmed the team would have been allowed entry. However, Iran’s leadership rejected participation, citing ongoing conflict and security concerns.
The withdrawal leaves FIFA with the task of determining how to fill Iran’s spot in the tournament and adjusting the group stage schedule accordingly. Officials are expected to make an announcement in the coming days.
This marks the first time Iran has voluntarily withdrawn from a World Cup after qualifying, highlighting the growing tensions in the region amid recent military and political escalations.
Iran Rules Out Participation in 2026 FIFA World Cup
News
FG Begins Evacuation of Nigerians from Iran, Escorts Citizens to Armenian Border
FG Begins Evacuation of Nigerians from Iran, Escorts Citizens to Armenian Border
Some Nigerians have been escorted out of Iran by officials of the Federal Government through the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran as part of efforts to ensure their safety amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
This was confirmed by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri‑Erewa, who disclosed that Nigerian embassy officials are currently coordinating the movement of citizens willing to leave the country.
Dabiri-Erewa explained that the evacuees are being escorted from various locations in Iran to the border with Armenia, where they will await further arrangements for their return to Nigeria.
According to her, the evacuation became necessary following the escalating security situation in the region, which has raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals, including Nigerians residing in Iran.
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She noted that officials of the Nigerian Embassy are working round the clock to ensure that Nigerians who wish to leave the country are safely moved out of the conflict-prone areas.
The NiDCOM boss also assured that the Federal Government is closely monitoring the situation and is collaborating with relevant authorities to facilitate the safe evacuation and eventual return of the affected citizens.
Dabiri-Erewa further stated that no Nigerian casualty had been reported so far, adding that the government remains committed to protecting the welfare and safety of its citizens abroad.
The evacuation effort forms part of contingency measures being implemented by the Federal Government as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, prompting several countries to make arrangements for the evacuation of their nationals from high-risk areas.
Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities have urged citizens in the affected region to remain in contact with the Nigerian Embassy and follow official directives as the evacuation process continues.
FG Begins Evacuation of Nigerians from Iran, Escorts Citizens to Armenian Border
News
Tinubu Orders Nationwide CNG Initiative to Curb Transport Expenses
Tinubu Orders Nationwide CNG Initiative to Curb Transport Expenses
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) to immediately deploy 100,000 vehicle conversion kits nationwide, a bold move aimed at easing the burden of rising global fuel prices and promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) as a cheaper, cleaner alternative to petrol.
The directive was issued during a closed-door meeting between the president and PiCNG Executive Chairman Ismaeel Ahmed at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Ahmed disclosed that the president requested updates on the initiative’s progress, particularly regarding measures to cushion Nigerians from the impact of fuel price volatility driven by tensions in the Middle East.
“The president is concerned about the effect of global petroleum price spikes on Nigerians. He has given a direct mandate to immediately deploy about 100,000 CNG conversion kits,” Ahmed said. The kits will allow vehicle owners, including cars and tricycles, to convert petrol engines to run on compressed natural gas, offering an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative.
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The rollout is expected to begin within the next two to three weeks, with conversion centres nationwide becoming active as large-scale vehicle conversions commence. Ahmed noted that the initiative is also accelerating infrastructure development to support CNG and electric mobility, including the expansion of refuelling and charging stations across key transport corridors.
Currently, around 77 CNG refuelling stations are at various stages of development across Nigeria. Kano already operates two liquefied CNG stations, with additional daughter stations under construction. The infrastructure expansion covers major routes from Lokoja to Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, and Maiduguri, ensuring broad access to alternative fuel.
The initiative also encourages the local assembly of CNG and electric vehicles through partnerships with domestic and international manufacturers. Collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency is underway to deploy solar-powered charging stations in off-grid areas, supporting a clean energy transition.
President Tinubu emphasized that the PiCNG programme should deliver quick results, reducing transportation costs, improving mobility for Nigerians, and mitigating the impact of global fuel shocks on the economy.
Tinubu Orders Nationwide CNG Initiative to Curb Transport Expenses
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